Washington lake guide
Cle Elum Lake Fishing
Cle Elum Lake is included in FishyNW's contour-required Washington expansion because mapped depth structure is useful to anglers for locating basins, breaks, points, channels and seasonal fish-holding water.
LocationKittitas County, Washington
Primary targetsKokanee, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout
Best seasonSpring to early summer
Lake size4,566.3 acres
Guide reviewed
Scientific profile
Research snapshot
Average depth109 feet
Max depth258 feet
Elevation2,227 feet
Public launches1
Summer cautionWind
Lake depth map
Depth contours may take a little time to load. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Contour line20 ft Visible depth label
Source: Washington State Department of Ecology. Historical survey data may not reflect current water levels or underwater hazards. Informational only; not for navigation.
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Did you know?
What makes Cle Elum Lake distinctive
Cle Elum Lake reaches about 258 feet at its deepest documented point.
Cle Elum Lake covers roughly 4,566 surface acres, making it one of the larger waters represented in FishyNW.
FishyNW documents 6 fish species here, giving Cle Elum Lake an unusually broad mix of fishing opportunities.
Measured & official data
Water Science
Loading available public monitoring and fishery science…
Pass 3 · depth + water column
Seasonal Fish Habitat
Surface · 0 ft
How to read this data
Temperature, dissolved oxygen, clarity, nutrients, chlorophyll-a, pH, and conductivity are observations from public monitoring records and may be historical. Thermocline depth is shown only when FishyNW can derive a strong vertical temperature gradient from a measured profile. It is not treated as a permanent lake characteristic.
Trophic indication uses the Carlson Trophic State Index only when FishyNW can normalize a measured chlorophyll-a, Secchi, or total-phosphorus value. It is a derived ecological indicator, not an agency impairment determination.
Seasonal Fish Habitat is shown only when verified bathymetry overlaps a same-day, same-station temperature and dissolved-oxygen profile. It is a historical screening snapshot, not a live prediction of where fish are located.
For lake trout, FishyNW uses the broader USGS-tested screening combination of water at or below 15°C (59°F) and dissolved oxygen at or above 4 mg/L. For other coldwater species, FishyNW does not invent a preferred-temperature threshold; it shows only the observed thermocline-to-oxygenated-depth refuge when the evidence supports it.
Harmful-algae status is never inferred from missing data. Always check the linked state source for current advisories before contact recreation.
Open matched Water Quality Portal recordsFishery record
Documented fish species
These species come from the lake record. Open a species guide for identification, seasonal behavior, and practical tactics without confusing general species guidance with a lake-specific survey result.
Trout and salmon
Kokanee
Troll small dodgers, hoochies, wedding rings, or spinners.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Rainbow Trout
Use bait, small spinners, spoons, or slow trolling depending on access.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Lake Trout
Use electronics to find deep structure, bait, and suspended marks.
View species guide
Ancient and miscellaneous fish
Burbot
Fish cold water, deep breaks, basin edges, rocky structure, and winter or low-light windows.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Trout and salmon
Sockeye Salmon
See seasonal habitat, presentations, identification, and regulation cautions.
View species guide
Stocking information
Cle Elum Lake Fish Stocking
Recent stocking information summarized from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Dates and quantities can change. Always verify current fishing rules with the official agency before fishing.
Most recent stockings
| Date | Species | Quantity | Size | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 13, 2008 | Kokanee | 389,376 | 472 fish/lb (~0 lb each) | CHELAN HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
| May 8, 2007 | Kokanee | 170,000 | 457 fish/lb (~0 lb each) | CHELAN HATCHERY · Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Plants |
Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Last checked: Aug 17, 2026 7:34pm
Fishery intelligence
Official fishery evidence
Agency survey records and measured fishery data, distilled for trip planning.
10
verified signals
Research & surveys
Official survey records available
Use the evidence
Turn records into a fishing plan
- Compare survey evidence with the seasonal guide.
- Use the map to connect depth, access, and structure.
- Confirm current rules and access before your trip.
Trip conditions
Current conditions
Loading the local forecast. Check access and official notices before leaving.
TodayLoading
WindLoading
GustsLoading
Rain chanceLoading
Four day outlook
Tools
Today's Lure Pick
Open Tools for species-specific lure guidance.
Angler interpretation
How the fishery changes through the seasons
This is the practical layer: use it alongside the documented species, depth, stocking, survey, access, and regulation record above. The current season opens first.
Spring
trout, kokanee- Start here
- Cooler water, recent stocking, fish moving shallow, and protected shorelines or inlets that warm first.
- Watch for
- Cold fronts, changing water levels, muddy inflow, and early-season ramp conditions.
Summer
kokanee early- Start here
- Fish early or late, then adjust toward deeper water, shade, vegetation, or comfortable temperature zones.
- Watch for
- Wind, weeds, algae, heat, and heavier boat traffic.
Fall
trout- Start here
- Cooling water, shoreline structure, points, weed edges, and simple presentations that let you cover water.
- Watch for
- Wind on open water, rapidly changing weather, and shorter daylight windows.
Winter
trout- Start here
- Legal open-water or ice access, stable depth zones, and conservative cold-weather trip plans.
- Watch for
- Ice safety where relevant, ramps, road conditions, cold-water exposure, and current rules.
Know before you go
Rules and restrictions
Check current WDFW lake-specific and statewide regulations before fishing.
Local angler stops
Nearby bait & tackle
Independent and locally owned shops near this water. Call ahead if you need a specific bait or item.
Troutwater Fly Shop
Independent fly shop and guide serviceCle Elum, Washington · Established Cle Elum fly shop with flies, rods, reels, waders, footwear and expert local knowledge for the Yakima and Cle Elum river corridor.
Local-business listings can change. FishyNW does not rank shops by payment or sponsorship. Verify current hours and inventory before driving.
Keep exploring
Nearby waters
Kachess Lake
about 7.6 miles away
Kachess Lake is included in FishyNW's contour-required Washington expansion because mapped depth structure is useful to anglers for…
Keechelus Lake about 12.8 miles awayKeechelus Lake is a large mountain reservoir where bathymetry is useful for trolling kokanee and trout, tracking channel…
Fish Lake (King County) about 40.4 miles awayFish Lake in King County is a compact trout-and-bass fishery with stocked Rainbow Trout, resident Coastal Cutthroat Trout,…
Rimrock Lake about 43.5 miles awayRimrock Lake is included in FishyNW's contour-required Washington expansion because mapped depth structure is useful to anglers for…
Cle Elum River River systemA cold mountain tributary below Cle Elum Lake with variable dam releases and selective fishing opportunities.
After the trip
Log what happened on the water
Use CatchSignal for catch reports, trip history, photos, and community activity. Keep your fishing history while controlling how much location detail you share.
Sources & feedback
Verified resources
Official links for this lake
Open the source that matches what you are planning.
Community feedback
See something that needs an update?
Send the correction and, when possible, the source. FishyNW reviews submissions before changing the guide.